Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary trans fatty acids and composition of human atheromatous plaques

  • ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
  • Published:
European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary.

Dietary fatty acids are incorporated into atheromatous plaques mainly in the form of cholesterol esters. Physicochemical properties of the plaque (e. g. mechanical strength) depend on its fatty acid composition. Trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids (TFA) are known to reduce the availability of fatty acid precursors for the synthesis of anticoagulant PG1 and PG3 prostaglandins.

The present study was undertaken to determine the content of trans isomers in atheromatous plaques and to search for correlations between trans isomers in the plaque and adipose tissue. Atheromatous plaques were obtained from 31 patients who underwent surgery due to atherosclerotic stenosis of the abdominal aorta, iliac or femoral arteries. Fatty acids were extracted and separated as methyl esters using gas chromatography (GC) with an internal standard. Correlations were searched for with statistical methods, taking the level of significance as p < 0.05.

We found spatial and positional isomers of sixteen- and eighteen-carbon fatty acids in plaques and adipose tissue, with elaidic acid (C18:1 trans-9) being the most abundant. Every plaque and adipose tissue sample contained linolelaidic acid (C18:2 trans-9 trans-12) which is derived exclusively from linoleic acid, as well as conjugated dienes of linoleic acid (CLA) produced during oxidative processes. The presence of trans isomers of fatty acids in the atheromatous plaque seems to be of relevance to plaque formation. Of much concern is the detection of elaidic and linolelaidic acids which adversely affect the physiologically important metabolism of eicosanoids. The TFA pool in adipose tissue has little effect on the amount of these acids in the atheromatous plaque. Apparently, the presence of TFA in atheromatous plaques is the result of processes taking place during plaque formation and maturation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

BHT:

butylated hydroxytoluene

CLA:

conjugated dienes of linoleic acid

IHD:

ischemic heart disease

HDL:

high density lipoprotein

LDL:

low density lipoprotein

MUFA:

monounsaturated fatty acids

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

SFA:

saturated fatty acids

TLC:

thin layer chromatography

TFA:

trans fatty acids

TG:

triacylglycerols

References

  1. Slover HT, Thompson JR, Davis CS, Merola GV (1985) Lipids in margarines and margarine-like foods. J Am Oil Chem Soc 62:775–786

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zock PL, Katan MB (1997) Butter, margarine and serum lipoproteins. Atherosclerosis 131:7–16

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Judd JT, Baer DJ, Clevidence BA, Muesing RA, Chen SC, Weststrate JA, Meijer GW, Wittes J, Lichtenstein AH, Villela-Bach M, Schaefer EJ (1998) Effects of margarine compared with those of butter on blood lipid profiles related to cardiovascular disease risk factors in normolipemic adults fed controlled diets. Am J Clin Nutr 68:768–777

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Colditz GA, Speizer FE, Rosner BA, Sampsson LA, Hennekens CHH (1993) Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease among women. Lancet 34:581–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Aro A, Kardinaal AFM, Salminen I, Kark JD, Riemersma RA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Gomez-Aracena J, Huttuenen JK, Kohlemer L, Martin BC, Martin-Moreno JM, Mazaev VP, Ringstad J, Thamm M, van’t Veer P, Kok FJ (1995) Adipose tissue isomeric trans fatty acids and risk of myocardial infarction in nine countries: the Euramic study. Lancet 345:273–278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ascheiro A, Hennekens CHH, Burning JE, Master C, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC (1994) Trans fatty acids intake and risk of myocardial infarction. Circulation 89:94–101

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. van der Vijver LP, Kardinaal AF, Couet C, Aro A, Kafatos A, Steingrimsdottir L, Amorim Cruz JA, Moreiras O, Becker W, van Amelsvoort JMM, Vidal-Jessel S, Salaminen I, Moschandreas J, Sigfusson N, Martins I, Carbajal A, Ytterfors A, van Poppel G (2000) Association between trans fatty acid and cardiovascular risk factors in Europe: the Transfair study. Eur J Clin Nutr 54:126–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kummerow FA, Zhou Q, Mahfouz MM (1999) Effect of trans fatty acids on calcium influx into human arterial endothelial cells. Am J Clin Nutr 70:832–838

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lawson LD, Hill EG, Holman RT (1983) Suppression of arachidonic acid in lipids of rat tissues by dietary mixed isomeric cis and trans octadecenoates. J Nutr 113:1827–1835

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cook H, Emken EA (1990) Geometric and positional fatty acid isomers interact differently with desaturation and elongation of linoleic and linolenic acids in cultured glioma cells. Biochem Cell Biol 68:653–660

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Jones D (1993) Trans fatty acids and dieting. Lancet 341:1093

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Felton CV, Crook D, Davies MJ, Oliver MF (1994) Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and composition of human aortic plaques. Lancet 344:1195–1196

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Allain CC, Poon LS, Chang GSC, Richmond W, Fu PC (1974) Enzymatic determination of total serum cholesterol. Clin Chem 20:470–475

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bucolo G, David H (1973) Quantitative determination of serum triglycerides by use of enzymes. Clin Chem 19:476–482

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Grove TH (1979) Effect of reagent pH on determination of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by precipitation with sodium phosphotungstate-magnesium. Clin Chem 25:560–564

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS (1972) Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma without use of preparative ultracentrifuge. Clin Chem 18:499–502

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Folch J, Lees M, Stanley Sloane V (1957) A simple method for the isolation and purification of total lipids from animal tissues. J Biol Chem 226:497–509

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ulberth F, Henninger M (1992) Simplified method for the determination of trans monoenes in edible fats by TLGGLC. JAOCS 69:829–831

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hudgins LC, Hirsch J, Emken EA (1991) Correlation of isomeric fatty acids in human adipose tissue with clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 53:474–482

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Felton CV, Crook D, Davies MJ, Oliver MF (1993) Lipid and fatty acid distribution in nonulcerated and ulcerated human aortic plaques. J Vasc Med Biol 4:228–234

    Google Scholar 

  21. Katz AM (2002) Trans-fatty acids and sudden cardiac death. Circulation 105:669–671

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Lemaitre RN, King IB, Raghunathan TE, Pearce RM, Weinmann S, Knopp RH, Copass MK, Cobb LA, Siscovick DS (2002) Cell membrane trans fatty acid and the risk of primary cardiac arrest. Circulation 105:697–701

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Katan MB (2000) Trans fatty acids and plasma lipoproteins. Nutr Rev 58:188–191

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sebedio JL, Vermunt S H, Chardigny JM, Beaufrere B, Mensink RP, Armstrong RA, Christie WW, Niemela J, Henon G, Riemersma RA (2000) The effect of dietary trans alpha-linolenic acid on plasma lipids and platelet fatty acid composition: the TransLinE study. Eur J Clin Nutr 54:104–113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Bartnikowska E (2000) Can CLA be regarded as a nutraceutical? Pol J Food Nutr Sci 35:55–59

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gurr MI (1990) Trans fatty acids and health—an update. Lipid Technology 2:105–107

    Google Scholar 

  27. Abbey M, Nestel PJ (1994) Plasma cholesterol ester transfer protein activity is increased when trans-elaidic acid is substituted for cis-oleic acid in the diet. Atherosclerosis 106:99–107

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Katan MB, Zock PL, Mensik RP (1995) Trans fatty acids and their effect on lipoprotein in humans. Ann Rev Nutr 15:473–793

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Pariza MW, Park Y, Cook ME (2000) Mechanisms of action of conjugated linoleic acid: evidence and speculation. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 223:8–13

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Dormandi TL,Wickens DG (1987) The experimental and clinical pathology of diene conjugation. Chem Phys Lipids 45:353–364

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Adlof RO, Duval S, Emken EA (2000) Biosynthesis of conjugated linoleic acid in humans. Lipids 35:131–135

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Kinsella JE, Bruckner G, Mai J, Shimp J (1981) Metabolism of trans fatty acids with emphasis on the effect of trans, trans-octadecadienoate on lipid composition, essential fatty acid and prostaglandins: an overview. Am J Clin Nutr 43:2307–2318

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biochemistry & Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstancow Wlkp 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland

    Ewa Stachowska, Barbara Dołęgowska & Dariusz Chlubek

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

    Teresa Wesołowska

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

    Kazimierz Ciechanowski

  4. Department of Vascular Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

    Piotr Gutowski, Halina Szumiłowicz & Radosław Turowski

Authors
  1. Ewa Stachowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Barbara Dołęgowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dariusz Chlubek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Teresa Wesołowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kazimierz Ciechanowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Piotr Gutowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Halina Szumiłowicz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Radosław Turowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ewa Stachowska.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stachowska, E., Dołęgowska, B., Chlubek, D. et al. Dietary trans fatty acids and composition of human atheromatous plaques. Eur J Nutr 43, 313–318 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-004-0479-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-004-0479-x

Key words

Search

Navigation